There is a growing pool of research that looks into the impact that exercise can have on depression, but this systematic review and meta-analysis claims to be the first summary of trials into the effects of exercise training on depressive symptoms among patients with a chronic illness.

The research team from the University of Alabama conducted a thorough search and identified 90 trials involving 10,534 sedentary patients with a chronic illness. Their included trials that:

Randomised patients to exercise or a non-exercise comparison group

Assessed depression outcomes before during and after the intervention

The review reported that depression in chronic illness is reduced by exercise in patients who are most depressed and who stick to the regimen.

André started the Mental Elf website in May 2011.
He has worked as an Information Scientist in Mental Health since the late nineties; initially at Oxford University's Centre for Evidence-Based Mental Health and since 2002 as the Managing Director of Minervation Ltd.
He loves blogging, social media and elves! He also has established interests in evidence-based healthcare, usability testing and web design.